England give surprise Ashes call to spinner Jacks

England’s selection practices under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have been characterized as being faithful and consistent. McCullum, a native of New Zealand, previously predicted a “short” Ashes selection meeting with only the second spinner’s identity being debated.

Although Surrey’s Jacks won only five wickets in 74. 1 overs of first-class cricket this year, Leg-spinner Ahmed was initially thought to be in the lead.

The 26-year-old, who is primarily a batter, gives England some flexibility, and tall off-spinners seem to be best suited for Australian conditions. Jacks, an avid white-ball player for England, is recovering from a broken finger and ready to play in time for the Ashes.

By describing Brook as an “emerging leader within English cricket,” McCullum also foreshadowed the change in vice-captain.

In reality, Brook is most likely to take over Stokes’ baton as Test captain, but the immediate situation presents a challenge for the third-row seat.

Bethell made his first professional century playing a one-day international against South Africa, but Pope, England’s long-term number three, was chosen over him in the summer.

In addition to the Ashes, Bethell will have other opportunities to impress in the white-ball games that will follow in New Zealand, and further information will be revealed in England’s only warm-up game against a Lions team in Perth.

They will now hope to keep their players fit through the five Tests in preparation for one of the most highly anticipated Ashes series in years and probably England’s best chance of winning away since they last triumphed in Australia in 2010-11.

Stokes, who has not won any of England’s previous four Test series, will be of the greatest importance. The shoulder injury was brought on by his extensive work in the India series.

Only two bowlers from England’s squad have ever taken an international test in Australia.

Wood, 35, has a turbulent injury history, but England’s fastest bowler, who came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, altered the course of the final Ashes series in the UK in 2023.

In the summer of 2024, he initially injured his elbow. He injured his knee in a match that required surgery earlier this year when he made his Champions Trophy return. initially intended for the end of the India series to end, but eventually reversed. Wood won’t have played a Test in 15 months by the time of the Ashes opener.

Potts, Wood’s Durham teammate, returns after this year’s absence from a Test. The 26-year-old makes good use of Jamie Overton’s red-ball retirement and Woakes’ injury.

Given his previous poor performance in Australia, it was a foregone conclusion that Woakes would be included even before the injury. In order to be ready for the Ashes, he chose not to have surgery and undergo extensive rehab. He could have made his final appearance for England with the age of 36, so he seems likely to miss out on a new central contract.

Overton’s hit-the-deck bowling was viewed as appropriate for Australia after playing in the final Test against India. He has chosen to pause his red-ball career after suffering from five first-class matches in two years as a result. Overton will represent the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash in Australia.

Three T20 matches are followed by three one-day internationals before New Zealand’s tour begins on October 18.

Crawley could make his T20 international debut if he is chosen. With Duckett, Smith, and Archer resting, only Brook, Bethell, and Carse are on the T20 team.

Dawson, Sam Curran, and Luke Wood are all given call-ups, making for a strong one-day squad.